Research and Information Service

Topical Digest - Gambling regulation and gambling-related harm

This topical digest provides a reading list on the issue of gambling regulation and gambling-related harms in the UK and Republic of Ireland, and also draws upon the European and wider international experience. It also includes links to research papers, government department publications, parliamentary Committee reports and media articles.

Brexit Outcomes and Northern Ireland: A Reading List  - Updated
The Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland, which is the part of the EU-UK withdrawal agreement, addresses the unique circumstances on the island of Ireland. The ‘Windsor Framework: A New Way Forward’, which was agreed in principle on 27 February 2023, amends the Protocol and includes a new procedure: the ‘Stormont Brake’.
When compiling this reading list, an attempt has been made to select commentary, analysis and media coverage which has particular relevance to the specific context of Northern Ireland. The list also includes strategically important documents, such as the published positions of the UK and Irish governments and the EU institutions.

Topical Digest - Artificial Intelligence

This Topical Digest provides a reading list on the emerging Artificial Intelligence (AI) landscape in Northern Ireland and the UK. This digest brings together a snapshot of some of the most recent publications and articles on AI, including background publications to inform readers of the long history of AI, a UK Government white paper, committee reports, industry insights and research papers.

The Assembly @ 25

A paper looking at major milestones including political and legislative developments that have shaped the institution since 1998.

Brexit Outcomes and Northern Ireland: A Reading List (updated 30 March 2023)

The Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland, which is the part of the EU-UK withdrawal agreement, addresses the unique circumstances on the island of Ireland. The ‘Windsor Framework: A New Way Forward’, which was agreed in principle on 27 February 2023, amends the Protocol and includes a new procedure: the ‘Stormont Brake’.

When compiling this reading list, an attempt has been made to select commentary, analysis and media coverage which has particular relevance to the specific context of Northern Ireland. The list also includes strategically important documents, such as the published positions of the UK and Irish governments and the EU institutions.

Reducing and offsetting methane emissions
The Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 calls for an overall net-zero emission target by 2050. However, methane will not be required to be reduced by more than 46% to achieve the overall target due to the impact it has on the agriculture sector. This paper examines a range of methane mitigation measures posited by local companies, non-governmental organisations and academics. The potential role to be played by peatlands – as either a sink or an emitter of greenhouse gases – is also summarised.

Brexit Outcomes and Northern Ireland: A Reading List (updated 03 February 2023) 

In the period between the referendum on the United Kingdom’s membership of the European Union in June 2016 and its formal departure on 31 January 2020, the Assembly’s Research and Information Service (RaISe) published 31 versions of ‘Brexit and Northern Ireland: A Reading List’. This was followed by 6 versions of ‘Brexit Transition and Northern Ireland: A Reading List’, the last appearing on 31 December 2020. This new reading list focuses specifically on the period following the departure of the UK from the EU – that is, the period from 1st January 2021. The list is intended to assist Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) and others in scrutinising this new situation, and particularly the ways in which it affects Northern Ireland and the border.